I really don’t get the other gushing reviews here. This place is drab and the host is unhelpful.
She was the least helpful host I’ve rented from on Airbnb. After I reserved, she sent no information about checking in – nothing. I had to connect with her on LINE and keep asking questions, to which I got curt replies.
“What’s the address?”
She gave me the building name in English.
“Can you write it in Thai for the taxi?”
“Sorry I cannot write Thai.”
(hint: it's your property, maybe you could make the effort to have someone write it for you in the local language)
“How do I check in?”
“Someone will give the key to u.”
At the airport, I showed my phone with the building name on the maps app to the taxi driver at the airport. After 5 minutes of him grumbling, off we went. He drove by the building, but I spotted it. So I made it there.
5 p.m. and no "someone" was at the desk.
I LINEd the host again. No reply, but I saw she'd read the message.
15 minutes later: “The key in the mailbox.” (sic)
It’s her property but she didn't know that? The key was indeed in the mailbox.
There are no instructions on using anything, nothing about the garbage, nothing at all. Figure it out or ask (and hope for a useful answer). You’d think after all these years, she’d put together basic instructions.
The place itself is drab and outdated, like in the photos. But everything works and it's not dirty. The building and its equipment seem little changed from when it was built in 2007. Actually feels older. But again, not dirty, just weathered.
Some others have commented on room cleaning. There is no room cleaning unless you pay extra. Not a big deal, but it might bother some, esp. if you’re there more than a few days.
Pros:
-It has a washer and a kitchen and everything works fine. You can save on doing your own sweaty laundry from all the walking. I did PLENTY of walking. You’ll need to buy your own detergent.
-Overall, it’s clean and not smelly. Everything seems regularly mopped and dusted.
-At ~60 sqm, it’s big and a proper 1-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette.
-Thong Lor is a neighborhood with lovely cafes and great stores among the backstreets.
-There are 7 Elevens and food carts within a 10-minute walk. No supermarket nearby, but a small Foodland about 1 km or 15 minutes away (opposite side of the road).
-This may be a con for some, but it’s a pro for me: The front desk is mostly unattended; you’re pretty much on your own. The front desk girl (cleaner?), when she’s there, is usually lying around checking her phone. There was, however, an older lady there when I checked out at midday. She seemed pleasant enough.
-No noise or smell issues other than the proximity to the street.
-Hot water works, low-pressure but fine, toilet is fine, internet is a bit spotty but adequate.
-No ant or roach problems.
-The bed is big, Thailand-hard, but clean and adequate.
-It’s comparatively cheap considering the size and neighborhood.
Cons:
-The curtains, furniture, TV, AC, etc. have passed their expiration date. It wouldn’t cost much to swap them out. The shower curtain is orange and brown at the ends. How much is a shower curtain? $5?
-It’s right next to the road. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
-The gym is a sad little glass room with a rusty all-purpose machine, treadmill, very squeaky elliptical, and a stationary bike.
-The pool exists. I wouldn’t go in it.
-It’s about a 25-minute walk (about 2.1 km) from Thong Lo BTS; i.e., not close. And it’s a Bangkok walk – up and down, in and out, dodging carts, people, signs, puddles, etc. And, of course, it’s hot.
Basically, walk a lot or use win-bike taxis (the numbered vest guys) or auto taxis. Grab taxis and Grab wins also show up promptly.
After a week, I’d gotten used to the deficiencies but was happy to move on.
I would not recommend this place to a fresh visitor to Thailand or for sightseeing unless you're very independent. It’s an OK pitstop for someone who’s used to Thailand.